Dr. Myra Fitzsimmons is the only doctor working at Hope Clinic, a tiny mission hospital in South Africa. She is played by Sinéad Cusack.
Overview[]
Dr. Myra Fitzsimmons previously worked alongside Mother Felicity at Hope Clinic until Felicity's death. The clinic was threatened with closure due to lack of staff, so a small working party from Nonnatus House came to help. She's called "Dr. Myra" by the locals instead of Dr. Fitzsimmons because, as she tells Sister Julienne, "The locals can't seem to get their tongues round it".
Although dedicated to her work, Dr. Myra can be incredibly stubborn and as time goes by she starts becoming quite irritable, and winces in pain in front of Sister Julienne, though she won't admit to the nun that anything's wrong. When Sister Julienne says she'll pray for her, Dr. Myra surprises her by saying "I don't believe in any of that", revealing herself to be an atheist, an irony considering she works in a mission hospital. A short time later, one of the nuns at the clinic, Sister Gertrude, informs Sister Julienne that Dr. Myra is very sick. Myra appears convinced that she has liver cancer and is resigned to the fact she's dying. Patrick, however, is not convinced she has cancer, but is unable to examine Dr. Myra as she won't let him near her. However, Shelagh is able to persuade Dr. Myra to let her husband examine her.
Dr. Turner determines Dr. Myra has an abscess and drains it, but Dr. Myra's condition continues to worsen. Dr. Myra then tells Sister Julienne the reason why Mr. Starke, a local landowner, refuses to allow a water pipeline across his land to give the hospital a fresh water supply, revealing that he blames her for the deaths of his wife and baby and has held a grudge against her and the hospital ever since. Dr. Turner reads reports on an experimental new drug called metronidazole which might their last hope at saving Dr. Myra's life, but Shelagh finds her unconscious on the floor of her cabin, and she and Patrick accompany her to hospital. Sister Julienne goes to see Mr. Starke and tells him he can save any more mothers and babies from the same fate as his wife and child by allowing a water pipeline across his land, saying it would be a better memorial to his wife than any photograph.
At the end of the episode, Mr. Starke gives permission for the pipeline to go across his land. We also see Dr. Myra's treatment has worked and she begins recovering. With a clean new water supply, the once frail hospital flourishes, and when the time comes for the team from Nonnatus House bid farewell to Hope Clinic and return to Poplar, Trixie remains behind until Dr. Myra is fully recovered.
Quotes[]
What is it, Innocent? Running a marathons never a good a good idea when you've got TB.
- After Mr. Muzungulu rushes to Hope Clinic looking for help.
I don't believe in any of that. Not quite what you'd expect to hear in a mission hospital, is it? I've been here so long I can hardly recall my state of faith when I arrived. I'm driven by peoples need now. Not by my own beliefs. Don't tell anyone.
- Revealing her atheism to Sister Julienne.